Johnsburg president: None

March 22, 2013

Incumbent village president Ed Hetterman is being challenged by political newcomer Maggie Haney.

Haney sued the village in 2010 in a dispute over who owns an undeveloped, 60-foot stretch of Maple Avenue in the Buena Park subdivision that leads to the Fox River. A judge dismissed the lawsuit, but Haney’s fight against the village continues. Haney also has raised concerns about what she says are missing village checks that she’s sought under the Freedom of Information Act, late fees having to be paid on certain bills, and checks being issued before receiving board approval.

In her meeting with members of the Northwest Herald editorial board, Haney acknowledged that she decided to run for village president in large part because of her dispute with the village. We don’t think that’s a good reason to run for elected office.

Hetterman is seeking his second term as village president. He served as a village trustee for the 12 years prior. He certainly has the experience necessary to fill the position.

But we’re concerned about an ongoing grand jury investigation into the property dispute between Haney and the village. Village staff were subpoenaed to appear before the grand jury after a request for village documents by Illinois State Police went unanswered. In 2012, the village also refused numerous Attorney General’s Office requests to submit unredacted copies of the village attorney’s billing records as part of an ongoing FOIA dispute with Haney.

We’re also concerned about ongoing internal strife between Hetterman and some members of the village’s Board of Trustees.